39th CIFF Opening Night

The 39th Cleveland International Film Festival kicked off last night with the film, I’ll See You in My Dreams, directed by Brett Haley. The Opening Night event was sponsored by Parker. Premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, the film was written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch, and produced by Rebecca Green, Laura D. Smith and Brett Haley.

The film, starring Blythe Danner, features a complacent widow whose life gets a shake-up when several new people enter her world. With an endearing quality that will strike you straight in the heart, the film shows the reality of growing old. Full theaters cheered and sighed sympathetically throughout the 92-minute film.

Also starring in the film are actors, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Malin Akerman, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman and Mary Kay Place.

After the showing, Opening Night attendees followed a trail of orange-shirt-clad CIFF workers to the Post Office Plaza in Tower City Center for an I’ll See You in My Dreams themed party. Packed with enthusiastic movie-goers, the party featured an assortment of finger-foods, wine and even mini appletinis like those consumed on screen by Danner’s character.

The 39th CIFF runs March 18 through 29 and offers screenings at a variety of locations.

Don't forget that the akronlife-sponsored Knight and Day in Akron portion of the 39th CIFF starts Friday night, when Finding the Gold Within shows at 7 p.m. at the Akron Summit County Public Library. Get there by 6:30 to ensure a seat!